Chiang Rai. Often playing second fiddle to its more vibrant neighbors down south, the city of Chiang Rai is perhaps well-known to most as a pitstop for an attraction or two or as a gateway to some national parks in Northern Thailand. I visited this city recently as a weekend trip and found it a worthwhile destination in its own right, with plenty of attractions to keep one busy especially with a duration of just two days. Here are my suggestions of places you can visit in this city:
Destinations
The Perfect Itinerary for Banda Aceh and Sabang, Pulau Weh in Indonesia
Traveling in and around Banda Aceh, in Sumatra’s northern tip, is an eye-opening experience. The place is a manifestation of the indomitable resilience of the human spirit, with the city having been ravaged by the tsunami that swept the Indian Ocean in 2004. This corner of Indonesia is not frequently visited despite its attractive coastal location. This has been the case even prior to the tsunami. Those who make the effort to come here are often rewarded by turquoise colored waters, some seriously grand buildings and monuments as well as some of the more unique tourist attractions that one can find in a city. Banda Aceh is definitely worth a short weekend trip and in this guide, I’ve put up my suggestions for a one day or two day itinerary that you can easily follow. My decision to visit Banda Aceh wasn’t a spontaneous one. I have been curious about this far corner of Indonesia for a long time now and finally booked a trip when an opportunity came up.
…
The Perfect Short Itinerary for Manila and Cebu (2019)
Most visitors to the Philippines are likely to end up in one of the paradise islands of the archipelago for a beach getaway but those who spend more than the requisite transit time in the two largest urban centers, Manila and Cebu, are likely to discover a treasure trove of historic and cultural sights that have unfortunately taken a backseat. This easy-to-follow short itinerary for Manila and Cebu in the Philippines aims to introduce first-timers to the best things to do in the capital as well as the queen city of the south as destinations in their own right. In recent years, Filipino food has gained prominence in the international culinary scene and this has increased the foodie factor of both cities, adding another great reason to visit.
Also check out more tips for traveling to the Philippines.
…
Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn – Which is the Best Baltic City to Visit? (2019 Guide)
The geographic location of the Baltic countries consisting of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania; away from the major countries of continental Europe makes it intuitive to explore the three countries in one go. With a combined population of under 7 million, there’s not much that many outsiders know about the Baltic states except that these countries were once part of the Soviet Union and have since joined the European Union. On a recent trip to Europe, I explored the capitals of these three countries and spent about a week around Vilnius in Lithuania, Riga in Latvia and Tallinn in Estonia.
I have read a lot of questions online asking which is the best Baltic city to visit and I posed this question myself prior to my trip. Simply put, there is no one answer to the Baltics’ nicest capital. Each has its own quirks, its own attractions and its own charms. That being said, I must say I did have my own favorites so let me share them here:
…
Why I Always Come Back to Taiping, Malaysia – Stunning Lake Gardens & Cool Mountain Retreats
There are times when I obtain the resolve to go somewhere just because of a picture that I’ve seen. That pretty much led me to Taiping, Malaysia; a seemingly nondescript town in between Penang and Ipoh. Taiping – translated in Chinese as “Everlasting peace” – is not a tourist town, with its claim to fame being the rainiest city in Peninsular Malaysia. This has benefited the town with an extremely verdant vegetation, the kind that even others from the tropics would envy over. As for me, all it took was one picture of the beguiling Taiping Lake Gardens, with its lush greenery and calm waters with almost perfect reflection for me to get smitten.
…
Things to Do & Eat in Ipoh, Malaysia (2019) – Of Crumbling Colonial Architecture, Heritage Trails, Limestone Caves & Hipster Cafes
Exploring Ipoh while on an impromptu heritage walk, I had my doubts on how such a sleepy town could actually be the 3rd largest city in Malaysia. Seeing Ipoh for the first time, I felt like I had stepped into a bygone era when people still traveled by rickshaws and opium dens were the order of the day inside the many Peranakan-style shophouses. The quietness of the old town’s streets coupled with the charming but crumbling colonial architecture only seemed to add to the allure.
…
The Perfect Itinerary for Osaka and Kyoto – Kansai Travel Guide (2019)
One of Japan’s most iconic touristic regions is Kansai where the cities of Osaka and Kyoto are located. In contrast to other regions such as Tokyo or Central Japan, the Kansai region offers both the ultramodern comforts that Japanese big cities are known for as well as charming old towns dating back from the time of the geishas and samurai warriors. Another good thing is that traveling between Osaka and Kyoto takes less than an hour by train which makes combining these two cities in one trip highly advisable. Whether you love shopping, eating or exploring cultural attractions, check out this itinerary for your trip to Kyoto and Osaka.
…
Essential Things to Do in Padang in Western Sumatra – High Time to Visit This Underrated Indonesian Gem
The name Sumatra often brings to mind images of exotic wildlife as well as gourmet coffee beans. As the largest island that entirely belongs to Indonesia, it’s also one of the less commonly explored – especially when you consider the myriad of attractions found there. The Western Sumatran capital of Padang for instance, does not receive many overseas visitors. The trickle who come would take the quickest boat to the Mentawai Islands rather than spend a couple of days in Padang. The fact that Padang is not a buzzing or up-and-coming destination certainly adds to its charms. For the most part, you’ll find yourself to be the only foreigner in a town that Indonesians have long been in-the-know about – and for good reason, too. Here are the things you can do when you visit Padang, Indonesia.
…